There are a lot of people in the good beer business who aren't the 'rock stars', who don't receive the renown or notoriety, but who are as crucial to the success of good beer.
Bar owners and bar managers are such, at the front lines every day. And Chris Pons was one of them.
During the 1990s and through early 2004, the Last Chance Saloon, a long-time fixture in Columbia Maryland, was a good beer mecca, in fact an East Coast destination point for better draft beer.
To no small measure, instrumental to its success was Chris Pons, its beer manager during the 1990s. He aggressively featured the new local beers and, at that time, the hard-to-acquire West Coast beers and imports. In fact, under Chris's stewardship, the Last Chance Saloon became one of the pioneering bars to feature cask ale. He was an active supporter of the Oxford Brewing Company, Maryland's original microbrewery, and for whom I worked at the time.
Chris died earlier this week. He was a young man.
[Please read more about Chris in the comments section below.]
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Chris Pons: an appreciation
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I am shocked and saddened. I also remember Chris from his positions at Wharf Rat, Baltimore brewing Company and at Old Dominion distributors. This is sad news indeed.
ReplyDeleteWe have known Chris since his days at The Last Chance and followed him around to his various positions around Baltimore, knowing good beer would always be nearby. His knowledge was extensive, unsurpassed except by his friendliness, humor, and charm. We had always hoped he would one day realize his dream to own his own pub. If there's a brewpub in heaven, Chris is surely having a good time running it. He will be greatly missed by the many lives he touched.
ReplyDeleteSandy and Wayne
Chris was my brother and I can tell you he loved wht he did and you could tell. I only wish I could have seen him live his deam of owning his own pub. Thanks to everyone for all of your support during this tough time.
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